I picked up this book trying to experiment with Indian authors, figuring that I have much stayed away from most of them, apart from reading some Arundhati Roy and Vikram Seth I didnt really read much. After reading Thousand Splendid Suns and Kite Runner I was looking for a light read and "You are here" proved to a be a perfect companion for some tugging cushions and nice dark coffee.
The interesting turn of events in Arshi’s (central character) life and her bonding with room mate Topsy, her mother and the on/off relationship with new men in her life and Cheeto her cheating boyfriend with whom she break up and provides a perfect beginning to the story. I began empathizing with the character of Arshi almost as soon as I completed the first 2 pages.
I understood her hot headedness for her boss at the PR agency even to some extent I agreed to her rash behaviour when she threw her job, it can be a very scary feeling not knowing where one’s lief is going and the fact that you are somewhat too good for the job you are doing. Arshi and her mother a very emotionally strong bond, especially since she saw her threw the divorce and the most likeable fact of the book is that the story did not loathe of pity .
Her mother making a poised enterprenuer of herself running a school and inspite of all odds wanting Arshi too to be incontrol of her life, her proactive participation in a daughters life was a refreshing attitude much to my amusement when I expected her to be a very watchful and strict mother. Overall it was wonderful read - fact that I surped up the 200 odd pages in a matter of 39 hours. It left me feeling nice, making me take a look at all that is around me, here was I trying to fit myself into Arshi’s character and trying make a life map of where exactly I was. Not many books can make you look at yourself in this way, its not preachy, it does not boast of right or wrong - but it does make you think and that is a plus point, definitely!!